#INTHEAIREVERYWHERE
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#INTHEAIREVERYWHERE |
| Vol. 20 No. 44 | Wednesday
November 17,
2021 |
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Gentleman Dave Sharma |
Vyas Dev “Dave” Sharma, a quiet spoken dignified air cargo builder from the pioneering modern era of the late 1960s died November 9 in Long Island, New York at age 86. Dave leaves Suda, his wife of 52 years, his daughter Ritu Bala; his sons Rakesh and Rohin (both of whom served as U.S. Army officers); son-in-law Gregory; daughters-in-law Kara and Shannon; and seven grandchildren. Dave was born in Burma, one of 6 children. The Sharma’s escaped from Burma during the Japanese invasion in World War II, relocating to Northern India. In 1958 he moved to England where he began his storied career in the airline industry with British Airways. In 1962, he came to New York City. Dave continued his airline carrier at TWA at the carrier’s headquarters in 1964 as senior analyst in sales forecasting. A fixture at JFK Airport for over forty years, Dave made his mark forever at Sabena Belgian World Airlines Cargo (now Brussels Airlines). Dave was best known in air cargo as a creative problem solver and astute businessman, but most importantly a kindhearted professional, who was always a calming influence, willing to help colleagues and complete strangers. Dave’s efforts in air cargo particularly came to the fore after developing Sabena’s relationships in Africa during the 1994 Rwandan conflict where he was a critical team member in the humanitarian relief effort. Later Dave was recognized for his effort by both Liberia and Rwanda. He was a class act all the way and always a futurist. I recall a conversation we had over a decade ago that rings especially true today as the world turns. Dave was all in pushing back and pumping air cargo traffic for Sabena (SN). ”We are twenty people in air cargo for the airline and 16% of our revenue comes out of Africa. “I don’t know why others aren’t putting more focus on Africa. “While cargo going into Africa is no match for cargo coming out of Africa, the area is coming up in much the same way China once was.” 
Perhaps the greatest testimony to Dave Sharma
was the truly heartfelt writings of the JFK Air Cargo Association at Dave’s
passing.Dave was a member of a very elite generation of air cargo executives that were present at the creation of modern air cargo. But that was a long time ago. Many of the air cargo luminaries of that time, when JFK handled more than 60% of all the air cargo entering and exiting USA, went on to great fame elsewhere. Today less than a handful are still with us. That Dave impacted active people in our business right up until his passing and is recognized by today’s generation of air cargo people in New York is truly unique of anybody that ever worked the line at JFK. Dave made all of us in air cargo look good. God bless you Dave and happy landings always. Geoffrey |
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 Vol. 20 No. 41 Peter Hansen Pulled Air Cargo Up Sullivan's Travels Chuckles for October 20, 2021 Inside Moves At Qatar Cargo On The Freight-Pay Beam Sorting Cargo In A Gutter Near You 'Tis Autumn In New York |
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Publisher-Geoffrey Arend
• Managing Editor-Flossie Arend • Editor Emeritus-Richard
Malkin Film Editor-Ralph Arend • Special Assignments-Sabiha Arend, Emily Arend |
Send comments and news to geoffrey@aircargonews.com
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